Edmonton Oilers in town for Wednesday night game

The Red Wings went 2-1-1 on their four-game western road trip with wins over the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks.

After consecutive losses to the Oilers and Phoenix Coyotes, Detroit will return to Joe Louis Arena where they boast the best home record in the NHL this season -- 20-2-1.

The Red Wings (35-17-2) have been without All-Star goalie Jimmy Howard since he broke his finger Thursday night in Vancouver. Backup Ty Conklin started Saturday's game in Edmonton, but was pulled after three goals on nine shots in the first period. Joey MacDonald finished that game and started Monday night in Phoenix, where the Wings fell 3-1.

Without Howard, whose 32 wins lead the league, the Red Wings have struggled. Conklin is 3-5 when starting and MacDonald's loss on Monday was his only start of the season.

The team said its medical staff evaluated Howard's broken finger on Tuesday upon arriving home from the trip. He is questionable for Wednesday night's game.

This will be fourth and final meeting between the Oilers (21-27-5) and Red Wings. Detroit won the first two meetings and tried to remain unbeaten against Edmonton this season on Saturday, but fell 5-4 in a shootout.

Detroit's franchise-record 17-straight wins at home is just three wins short of an NHL record.

Patrick Eaves remains out of Detroit's lineup while his broken jaw heals.

As for the Oilers, injuries have plagued the young team this season. Rookie Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is still nurturing a shoulder injury and could miss the game against Detroit.

Puck drops at 7:30 p.m.

Copyright 2012 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.